Adding a light to a circuit problem.

[Sam7]

Hello all
I want to add an outside light (not a security light) to the existing lighting circuit in a Bungalow.

The light is already there and WAS just plugged in via a 13A plug to a socket.
After re-plastering, the wire was cut so only approx 1m of it now comes out of the wall into the room. No socket is reachable.
I therefore want to now add it to the lighting circuit.

Q1: Do i need to connect the wire to a fused switch ,then to the circuit or is a normal switch ok ?

Q2: Is it ok to come straight off the ring in the loft or does it need to come off of a ceiling rose ?

Any advice or links to diagrams would be a great help.

Thanks Sam.

 

[telectrix]

you have 2 options.

1. come directly from the lighting circuit. disadvantage is that in the case of a fault on the outside light, the customer can't isolate it.

2. fit a D/P FCU to the ring, and fuse down to 3A. this is the best way, as by switching off the FCU, the customer can isolate the outside light, thus saving you a 2.00 a.m. call-out.

 

[Sam7]

If i fit the D/P FCU to the ring, and fuse down to 3A
can i still come off the light ring...as my poor diagram shows.

 

[telectrix]

if you come from the lighting circuit, no need to fuse down, just a light switch will do. however, i question your competence to do this when you refer to a light "ring".

 

[Plonker 3]

What do the manufacturers instructions that come with the new light say?

 

[telectrix]

light is already there. just needs reconnecting to supply as was orig. on a plug.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Sam if you have RCD/MCBs in your CU then putting a 3amp BS 1362 cartridge fuse in the circuit will do absolutely nothing, as the RCD/MCBs will trip long before that fuse even thinks about it.

As Tel as said you can do the job in 2 ways come direct off a light circuit, but any fault/maitenance will mean the whole circuit will be taken out, and it's sometimes not a good thing to have outside lights on this

Or as Tel the best way is to take it off a socket circuit via that fused FCU

 

[Sam7]

i am not an electrician so my terminology maybe suspect.

because of the way all lights come off of ceiling roses, i wanted to know if i had to add this light the same way OR if i could just come off of the existing circuit.

and if by doing so, did i need a fused switch or a standard one.

Dillb- light has been on wall for a while so no manufacturers instructions.

 

[Plonker 3]

Ahh right, thought it was a new fitting , still need to take the load into account even before connecting it to any existing circuit.

 

[Sam7]

sorry guys , typed previous reply then read new ones.

OK ,i'll add a D/P FCU to the ring then connect.
and i'll leave the lighting 'ring' well alone.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Plonker 3]

Don't forget to notify LABC.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Don't forget to notify LABC.

Not required, unless the FCU is outdoors.

 

[telectrix]

Don't forget to notify LABC.

why????

edit: just seen your post, spin. . i would assume FCU would be in the attic.

 

[Plonker 3]

Wouldn't it be classed as a outside light therefore is notifiable?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Wouldn't it be classed as a outside light therefore is notifiable?

No, not if there are no exposed outdoor connections, and the work doesn't involve the provision of a new circuit, or extending an existing circuit in a bath/shower room or kitchen.